Girondins de Bordeaux: Laurent Koscielny’s answer – South West

In a press release sent to the editorial staff of Sud Ouest through his lawyer, Laurent Koscielny wanted to react. “Following the article published in the Sud Ouest newspaper on March 22, 2022 entitled “Girondins de Bordeaux. Costil and Koscielny, accusations of racism that shake ”. Laurent Koscielny was surprised, shocked but also saddened by the remarks made by one of the representatives of the Ultramarines 87 Group against him, which the press is now echoing. Without any ambiguity, he strongly contests these accusations which have seriously injured and which necessarily have repercussions on his family and those around him. In this regard, Laurent Koscielny underlines that the investigative work of the Sud Ouest newspaper which solicited more than thirty people (according to the journalist’s statements) who formally denied the alleged racist behavior of Laurent Koscielny. As a reminder, if Laurent Koscielny has not been part of the professional staff of the club since the end of January 2022, he recalls that he is still an employee of the Girondins de Bordeaux, now occupying functions related to the representation of the club. On this point, Laurent Koscielny intends to specify that he has decided to hang up his crampons when he would have preferred to help the club on the ground. Aware that the club was in difficulty, he accepted the proposal made to occupy a new function and to release a salary proof of the concern he has for the best interests of the club. As such, he would like to thank the club for the mark of confidence shown in him by entrusting him with this position. This mission is the extension of a career that has earned the respect of all of his partners, coaches and staff that he has worked with both in the club and in the France team. Laurent Koscielny also shares the position of the club who recalled in his press release that “no document aimed at supporting these allegations has been brought to the attention of the Club, which as a matter of principle intends to exercise the greatest caution”. Laurent Koscielny intends to firmly remind everyone of this message. and to act to the fullest extent regarding these shameful allegations made against him. The support of the club clearly demonstrates that the internal investigation to which Laurent Koscielny was never summoned resulted in a total absence of element characterizing these alleged discriminatory remarks; otherwise, the club would never have chosen to entrust a mission of ambassador to Laurent Koscielny. In any event, it will be recalled that the informants who allegedly witnessed these remarks never saw fit to report them to an investigating service. If by chance they were really convinced of the seriousness of the behavior they claim to have witnessed, they would necessarily have taken this step.